Thursday, July 30, 2009

I’ve Been RAK’ed…Twice!

It is such an awesome feeling to know that there are some very amazing people out there in blogland. It seems like every day something happens that either brings tears to my eyes or has me shaking my head in disbelief.

Several weeks ago, Edie (no blog) from Texas wrote to me about my needlecases and we started to communicate. Without going into too much detail, we started talking about x-stitching and I had mentioned that while blog surfing, I had seen a needlecase stitched by the Blackbird Design gals from their book, Thank You, Sarah Tobias that I would ♥ to stitch. Edie mentioned that she too wanted the same book and told me that she would ask about it at her local needlework shop.

She did just that and was told that the book sold very quickly and was out of print and that she would keep her eye out for one…just in case.

A couple of weeks later, I received an email from Edie asking for my snail mail address. Unbeknownst to me, Edie had attended a retreat and it just so happened that the Blackbird gals were teaching there. About a week later when I went to pick up my mail…well, you guessed it…

This was waiting for me! Be still my ♥.

I can’t recall exactly how Susan and I started chatting, but we also started talking about stitching and how it was a dream of mine to stitch a sampler one day. Susan told me that she loved to x-stitch and linked me to a few sites where I would find some free sampler patterns.

Well one thing led to another and I sent Susan some off cuts of fabric that I had in my stash for her aspiring Baltimore quilt and she told me that since she knew that I love pincushions, that she would make me one.

I went to the post office today because I am expecting a few things and guess what was there waiting for me? A little package from Australia.

I waited til I got home before opening it and it’s a good thing I did because of what I found inside…

The most awesome sampler pincushion I’ve ever seen! The photo does not do it justice. The stitching is exquisite and the little red dots around the perimeter are individually sewn beads and just beyond the beads are the tiniest French knots. My heart is still pounding.

Random Acts of Kindness…RAK’s…is there anything more ♥ wrenching?

Edie and Susan, you’ve both touched my ♥ more than you’ll ever know. Thank you both sooooo very much. And before I start to blubber (Mr. Painted Quilt’s word), I’d better end here.

25 comments:

Oh my gosh -- Kaaren, I start my day with a visit to your blog which is always inspiring, positive and more than generous! Thank YOU for all you do. Hugs, Edie in very very hot and very very windy (good to stay inside with the A/C stitching!) Texas

I'm always amazed at the kindness of those we've never met. What wonderful friendships we're making worldwide through a little thing called a blog. You're very deserving Kaaren and anyone would be thrilled to know you.

Hey Kaaren, for friends without blogs of their own you can refer them to our group quilting blog we have started. It is for those who don't want to maintain their own or who don't think they would write enough for thier own. We are a great bunch and more are welcome to join. Right now we are having an "Ugly fabric" contest. And we love your blog! Thanks!

Everyone who has commented before me has pretty much summed up my feelings, too, Kaaren! I love our blog world and the people in it! What a gorgeous pincushion - and just cover on the book makes giddy! Have fun with your new treasures!Cheers!

How wonderful for you Kaaren, you deserve it. RAK is such a wonderful thing, there truly are great people out there. I'm so glad to be a part of the blogging world to meet great & wonderful people from all over the world.Beautiful little pincushion.

You got wonderful presents! Passed by to wish you a fine weekend. Here in Italy it's realy hot!!! We refresh with a cold shower and tonight dinner outside with a glas of white wine! Mail you next week! Hugs, Renata.

I ♥ my friends

About Me

I am an artist and have recently retired from actively designing, publishing and travel teaching in the decorative painting industry. In December of 2010, we moved from Eastern Ontario to the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Quilting, stitching, wool applique and rug hooking are just a few of my passions.
During the last 5 years I have released over 40 new and FREE designs here on my blog. Just scroll down and you'll find the links to all of my FREE patterns available in PDF format under the title First Friday Freebies and More First Friday Freebies. Click on them one at a time to download and print the photos, instructions and line drawings. Enjoy!